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Egyptian Australians vote on Egypt's constitutional referendum

By Suheil DamounyUpdated
Tue 14 Jan 2014, 5:41 PM AEDT

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Egyptian Australians vote in constitutional referendum

ABC News

Egyptian Australians have made their way to consulates around Australia to have their say on a new constitution, but they remain divided over the latest attempt to broker a lasting peace in their homeland.

Tens of thousands took the opportunity to vote on a new constitution which could pave the way for fresh elections in Egypt next year.

While Egyptians in Australia voted at the weekend, the vote in Egypt begins on Tuesday (local time).

The new constitution has been backed by Coptic Christians who say it offers more religious rights, personal freedoms and guarantees a right to protest.

Coptic Christians fear persecution amid the political upheaval and are a minority group in Egypt, representing only about 10 per cent of the population of 80 million.

The majority of Egyptian Australians are Copts, mainly living in Sydney and Melbourne.

Dr Wafik Latif, a Copt, visited Egypt two months ago and went to the Egyptian consulate in Sydney to cast his vote.

I think that it is a legitimate answer for all Egyptians who want the country to move forward and get back into the normal rhythm of life.

Voter Wafik Latif

He voted "no" in the last referendum in 2012 but this time he is voting "yes".

"I think that it is a legitimate answer for all Egyptians who want the country to move forward and get back into the normal rhythm of life," he said.

"I've read the new constitution twice and I found it fair and it looks at every aspect concerning Egyptians regarding health, education, freedom, and the legislative as well as executive issues.

"The last constitution was very devious ... you can read a lot between the lines.

Dr Latif says the previous constitution neglected a lot of important issues, including women's rights.

"It was mainly focused on categorising the country along religious sides rather than being a civil country," he said.

Protesters say this vote is about legitimising the interim government.

Hassan El Zein also decided to boycott because he says the democratic environment is not sufficient.

"I am not going to vote because I think my vote means that I am accepting that coup. And I feel that the coup itself is a crime against humanity," he said.

"I am not going to put my hand with the hand of those who are looking and bringing back the old and corrupt Egyptian system."

New constitution better, but still no civilian oversight of military: expert

While tempers flared between voters and abstainers, analysts say the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

They say Egyptians will vote yes to the constitution not just because they want it, but because other options have been limited.

The issue with [the constitution] that a lot of people have are the military clauses that still allow military trials to continue and does not allow civilian oversight over the military, which was a demand of the revolution.

Egypt and Middle East expert Amro Ali

Egypt and Middle East expert Amro Ali says the constitution as a whole is much better than the 2012 version because there are more personal freedoms and religious rights and more protection for business investment.

"However, the issue with it that a lot of people have, particularly activists, are the military clauses that still allow military trials to continue and does not allow civilian oversight over the military, which was a demand of the revolution," he said.

"It is definiately a polarised vote and people will cast their vote along party lines.

"Those who are voting yes are in favour of the status quo and are very anti-Islamist and anti-Brotherhood."

Mr Ali doubts that the unrest experienced in Egypt will spill over to Australia.

"But I have seen ministers who've come to visit being heckled by Brotherhood supporters but it hasn't reached the violence that has been seen in London or in Paris," he said.

Mr Ali says the yes vote is likely to win and there are reports of arrests being made for those promoting the no vote.